TRS Likely To Continue Winning Streak In Panchayat Polls

Hyderabad: Telangana Rashtra Samithi is all set to continue the winning streak in panchayat elections after the historic win at the Assembly elections which were held recently. In the first phase of panchayat elections, many of the candidates backed by TRS are likely to win the seats unanimously. Elections are being conducted in the first phase in 4,480 gram panchayats, and 39,832 wards. On Wednesday the nomination filing process came to an end. In 334 gram panchayats, the election to the post of Sarpanch has become unanimous. A total of 291 panchayats are going to be won by TRS-backed candidates, 8 Congress, while CPI (ML) New Democracy 3, CPM, and BJP will have to content themselves with one each.

In 35 panchayats independents are going to be elected unanimously. However, CPI, TDP, TJS parties could not achieve this feat. The official announcement over the number of panchayats and wards to be won unanimously is yet to be announced by the election commission.

On the one hand, 27,940 nominations have ended up with 4,480 sarpanch positions. On the other hand, 97,690 nominations have been received for 39,832 ward member positions, as per the state election commission data.

On Thursday nomination verification took place and the eligible candidates' list was announced by the Returning officer. The appeals over the decisions taken on the nomination process are going to be heard on Friday. The last day to withdraw is going to be on Sunday. If the number of people withdrawing from the elections increases then the number of candidates securing a unanimous win also might increase.

Already the village development committees, political parties are sweating it hard pacifying the rebels, compromising the opponents, to withdraw the nominations. If they are successful in such attempts, then hundreds of seats are going to be unanimous. Polling in the first phase polling is going to take place on 21 January from 7 AM till 1 PM. From 2 PM counting will begin and the results will be announced.

Phase Two Nominations from Friday:

Nominations for phase two panchayat elections are going to start on 11 January till 13 January. On 14 January nominations’ verification and announcement of eligible candidates would take place. On 15 January appeals will be accepted and will be heard on 16 January. Last day to withdraw nominations is going to be on 17 January. Phase two elections are going to take place on 25 January.